Dear Chief Theresa SpenceYour courage is exceptional. Thank you for fasting for so long for the people. I am the Vice Chair of the American Indian Movement Grand Governing Council. I talked to Clyde Bellecourt yesterday. He says that he is fully aware that your fast and the "Idle No More" Movement is going world wide.This coming February it will be forty years since the American Indian Movement took over in Wounded Knee, South Dakota. Again back then, it was the women who demanded that something be done.Today is a good day to live. It is the shortest day of the year for sunlight. It is also the beginning of the New Era according to the Mayan Calender. Today you will see the beginnings of the New Era, when our people will stand up across Canada. The Spirit has awoken and is alive in our people.When the people Sundance, they fast for four days and nights, they dance. You have fasted over ten days. Your goal was to see Steven Harper treat our people better and to have them respect the Treaties. I think that today you will see that the Creator has answered your prayers. You will see how much you have succeeded. You will see that our people are responding right across the country.I invite you to come to Wounded Knee South Dakota for the American Indian Movement memorial in February.I ask you to consider breaking your fast. You have accomplished more than your goal. Steven Harper is not in charge in Canada, the indigenous people are. Today we will prove who lives on whose good graces. The immigrants who came to our lands in poverty and now take all our natural resource wealth without any payment whatsoever to the indigenous people are being given notice that this will not continue.The National Day of Action in 2007 was a warning to Harper that he seems to have ignored. Today, that warning is going to get a lot louder, loud enough to be heard worldwide and it will be heard by the Americans.You have succeeded Theresa. The women are telling the men, it is time.

NOW!(Mi’kmaq IdleNoMore blockade of Highway 11 by Rexton, NB, via @itsClairbear)By Tim FontainePlease click link below for APTN as photos are temporarily blockedAPTN National NewsHALIFAX – The Idle No More movement made its presence known today in Atlantic Canada with protests and events held across the region.At 7 a.m., people from the Millbrook First Nation near Truro blocked one lane of Highway 102, at times backing up traffic for miles.http://aptn.ca/pages/news/2012/12/21/id ... tic-canada

Shiprock: Navajos Flash Mob Round Dance 'Idle No More'IDLE NO MORE: Flash Mob Round Dance - Shiprock, NM'Idle No More' flash mob dance in Edmonton, Canadaby Denette Chee-Chief and Shiela Chee-ChiefFriday, December 21, 20126:00 pmNizhoni Park (at da river bridge)Navajo Nation 110 percent supports IDLE NO MORE. Come on down to Shiprock to show your support for our Canadian brothers and sisters! Nizhoni Park is located next to San Juan River by the bridge. EVERYONE INVITED. Bundle up and bring your signs!BRING DRUMS...BRING COFFEE...BRING HOT COCOA...WILL HAVE BONFIRE...ALL PEACEFUL!!Navajos in Shiprock, N.M, on the Navajo Nation are supporting Idle No More!

“ Each of us is put here in this time and this place to personally decide the future of humankind. Did you think the Creator would create unnecessary people in a time of such terrible danger? Know that you yourself are essential to this World. ”

"Citizens of Aamjiwnaang First Nation continue a blockade of CN rail, in support of the Idle No More movement. Aamjiwnaang Citizens are indicating they will continue the blockade until Chief Teresa Spence is granted a meeting with Prime Minister Harper, and there is recognition of the historical injustice inflicted upon the community. Following a community meeting this morning, and a meeting with the Mayor of Sarnia, Chief of Police and CN Rail representative, citizens of Aamjiwnaang have determined to maintain the blockade until community demands are met. Aamjiwnaang citizens are calling on all allies to come support the blockade. Bring WARM clothes and good intentions. Accepting food, wood and warm clothes donations

"Aamjiwnaang Citizens agreed to the following demands1. Letters of support from the Mayor of Sarnia, CN Rail, MP Pat Davidson, and industry telling Harper to meet with Chief Spence.2. We will consider leaving when this meeting has taken place.3. That Harper respect and consult on a nation-to-nation basis."

"Bellecourt stated repeatedly that he was not involved with the organizing and he did not know who had organized the event; he was only at IDS to shop. Despite this, he was told to leave or he would be arrested. No one else was asked to leave at this point.

"After the Round Dance ended, Bellecourt returned to buy a cup of coffee alone when he was approached by police officers who seized his cane, forced him to the floor, and then tried to lift him solely by his handcuffs. Bellecourt is 75 and cannot easily get up and down without assistance, which was denied to him. Bellecourt was unable to stand up and leave IDS on his own so officers arrested Bellecourt and transported him on a stretcher. Bellecourt is now being held at Hennepin County Jail."

'Giving a Shit,' an Idle No More Poem by Janet RogersJanet Marie RogersDecember 24, 2012

The objective of civilizing usIs to make Indian historyBecome our permanent realityThe necessary objectiveOf Native people is toOutlast this attack,However long it takesTo keep our identity alive*

We’ll give them leather and feathersWhatever gets the attentionWe’ll give them drums and songsWe’ll give them storiesTo see how long they’ll waitfor us to turn angry

We work with an unseen powerLess a weapon More a legacyAn answer to NO MORE What nowSimultaneous exhaustionAnd exhilarationDetermination thick asMineral rich soil negotiations

Not a mobWe are a peaceful peopleFor now we are the timberStanding in the wayGetting ready for the graveHow close to deathDo they want us to comeClose enough to smellWhat it smells likeWe have the answersAnd we’re showing youCan’t see it you have toFeel it

Have you nothing to say

The women in their jinglesThe fellas in their jacketsThe elders in their blanketsAnd the childrenWaving signs“No More, No More, No More, No More”

Flags flowing likeWinter snowLanding on strong shouldersWithstanding BlizzardsI see my peopleMany shades of the sameSo proudWe are the responsibleIncorrigibleBravery in our veinsFed by hungerWriting love lettersGrowing in momentum

We are revisiting wampumWe are witnessing commitmentThat wasn’t legislated by warOr defense budgetsThis is the People’s loveFor the motherThe movement has just begun

Bring it inSend it outWalk it aroundSing it loudWe keep beatingTo keep the realityOf the hate from playingIn our brainsWe can take itFor we have good mindsAnd an army of ancestorsWalking with us

How can they counter that

Blissful ignoranceSounds like holiday songson a Saturday morningThe same day she entersDay 12 starvingFor her peopleStarving for attentionWhen the answers areWithin and right in frontOf usProtect, react, resist,Mobilize those to knowMotives working againstNatural law

So what can I do?

I’m going to fuck with your moneyI’m going toTalk to your childrenTell them the truthAnd influence their realityIs it true youcan love a country but notits governmentIs this possible?When the law saysA country is formed byA council and registeredLike a baby’s birth certificateWithin the courts the sameplace that makes the laws,so what came first?

Is the U.N. knocking at your door?Or the ghosts of thosewho circled your abode?Are you finished dreaming of baconAre you begging for protection?Shaking under your blanket hidingFrom your own ancestors saying“don’t shame us”

crossing the line – getting closeclosing the gap – moving infinding the light – standing in itmaking the sounds – painting in colourgetting it right – taking namesplanning for the future – re-claim

“Each day that she does not eat, she is slowly dying. And this is what is happening to First Nations in this country,” Pamela Palmater said. “The purposeful, chronic underfunding of essential human services like housing, water, sanitation and education has resulted in our pre-mature deaths by up to 20 years, youth suicides, over-representation in child and family services, prisons and hundreds of murdered and missing women. Chief Spence's pain represents the pain of our peoples. She is a true warrior spirit who is humble, determined and prepared to die for our peoples. We are all inspired by her strength and stand beside her in solidarity.”

“We will not stand down as this country seeks to attempt to develop $650 billion in natural resources,” Atleo told reporters in a conference call on Friday morning. “Our people are saying that we will stand up for the waters, for the air, for the medicines, for the animals, for the land and the plants; that despite legislative efforts that we have an inherited responsibility and in the case treaty, treaty is paramount over parliament, over laws that Canada might pass.”

Idle No More Sweeps Canada and Beyond as Aboriginals Say Enough Is Enough

"The second wave of Idle No More protests swept across Canada on Friday December 21, with support events held across the U.S. and as far away as Europe and New Zealand, less than two weeks after the movement burst onto the political scene on December 10."

Words & Music by Aaron Donald Peters (c) 2012 Aaron Donald PetersIf Crazy Horse could see us nowDo you think that he'd approve of all the changes made to this land, and of me and you?When he sees the way we've lived our lives, could you look him in the face?Would he rise up against the enemy? Or would he embrace this peace?If he could see you and me?

If Crazy Horse could see us nowDo you think that he'd be proud? Of the way they speak of all of us?The way we let them push us around? Do you think he'd attempt to help us allUp from off our knees? Would he chase away the alcohol and the apathy diseaseThat's afflicting you and me?

You're invisible in this world.No one can see you, you just don't matterYou're invisible in this world.But what if Crazy Horse could see us?

If Crazy Horse could see me nowWhat do you think he'd say about the way that I conduct myselfLiving here day to day? Do you think that he would understandThe changes that I've made? The battle that I fight alone, the price I always pay to beWhat they tell me to be?

You're invisible in this world.No one can see you, you just don't matterYou're invisible in this world.But what if Crazy Horse could see us?

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has passed legislation to let China's China National Offshore Oil Corporation buy to Nexen. This takeover deal among other things puts three to six billion barrels of tar sands oil in CNOOC's hands, would create devastating global climate effects if CNOOC exploits Nexen's reserves to their fullest extent.

Canada has also legally exited the Kyoto Protocol just today, as well as already removed the protection of over 2 million lakes and rivers -- allowing tar sands development anywhere.

And the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) international treaty passed and can come into effect at any given moment without notice. CNOOC will be able to sue Canadian governments in tribunals if our governments do anything to counter its growing interests, including common sense environmental protections and job creation efforts. Keep in mind that more than 130 First Nations have signed the Save The Fraser Declaration banning Enbridge Pipeline in their territories.

And the most damaging piece of legislation is the omnibus Bill C-45, the Federal Government vacates jurisdiction over waters, parks, fisheries, etc -- and no longer has the responsibility and duty to consult First Nations concerning land development as legally required in our Treaties. It also gives power to decide fate of individual First Nations -- even in Treaty Territory.

These new bills (there are several more to come) legally strip us of our legally binding treaty rights, which the Canadian government has no legal jurisdiction to alter or change. Bill C-45 is an unconstitutional bill which illegally alters long standing treaties between our two sovereign nations, effectively ending them along with our sovereign nation status. Not only does this drastically affect First Nation's people, it also directly affects all North Americans and future generations -- causing irreparable damage to the environment and its inhabitants.

The Idle No More movement which protests these undemocratic changes has spread via social media, and has garnered around 80% sheer hatred toward us for 'complaining about treaties and free money' when we should be 'working and paying taxes like everyone else'.

Even though we've tried to reason with some of these individuals by explaining the above information to them, most don't change their views out of spite. So alerting the Canadian public to hopefully garner support to sway the bill is out of the question for us.

Bill C-45 receives Royal Assent on Monday, which could signal the last time I can email you anything regarding this (as it can be construed as illegal under the new FIPA treaty which can go in effect at any moment without notice, and my band could be sued and be forced to pay crippling fees for months).

I and my sovereign Nation are urgently asking for your help. We need your help to alert and inform the international community and bring in sanctions against the Harper government for these numerous illegal and unconstitutional attacks on our environment and sovereign nation... it's our only hope to protect this great land and future generations.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing" -- Edmund Burke

Chief Arvol Looking Horse support for Chief Spence and Protection of Mother Earth:

As Keeper of our Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, I would like to send out support for the efforts of Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation, for giving of herself through fasting with prayers for the protection of Mother Earth.

Throughout history, there have been many Voices from different Nations trying to alert us of the prophecies that are now upon us. We are in a time of Great Urgency, especially since the animals have been showing their sacred color white to tell us we need to change the Path we are on....The war in the Middle East over money, oil and power, in the name of Spirituality, has been affecting us for far too long. A Healing now needs to happen from that lesson. Those lessons now exist in those territories in the lack of animal and plant life, as well as the many orphans and childless parents.

Political decision makers throughout history have made decisions that have affected many People, lands and animal/plant life, the recent decision made to subject Mother Earth and take away any protection she had left, is a decision that affects all humanity.

This effort has to be understood the same light of our Peace work, which is “All Nations, All Faiths, One Prayer”. This effort to protect Mother Earth is all Humanity’s responsibility, not just Aboriginal People. Every human being has had Ancestors in their lineage that understood their umbilical cord to the Earth, understanding the need to always protect and thank her. Therefore, all Humanity has to re-connect to their own Indigenous Roots of their lineage - to heal their connection and responsibility with Mother Earth and become a united voice.

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